QUICK ANSWER
"Me da pena" is a phrase which is often translated as "I feel sorry for", and "me da vergüenza" is a phrase which is often translated as "I'm ashamed". Learn more about the difference between "me da pena" and "me da vergüenza" below.
me da pena(
meh
dah
peh
-
nah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. I feel sorry for
Ese perro me da mucha pena, parece que esté abandonado.I feel very sorry for that dog. He seems to be abandoned.
b. I feel sorry for him (third person masculine)
Me da pena, pero, por otro lado, él se buscó que lo despidieran.I feel sorry for him, but, on the other hand, he's brought the dismissal upon himself.
c. I feel sorry for her (third person feminine)
Me da pena, porque, aunque se equivocó, ella lo hizo con la mejor intención del mundo.I feel sorry for her, because, although she made a mistake, she did it with the best of intentions.
d. I feel sorry for you (second person formal)
Después del dolor que usted causó a mi familia, debería odiarlo, pero, en lugar de eso, me da pena.After the pain you caused to my family, I should hate you, but I feel sorry for you instead.
a. it makes me sad
Ver a tanta gente joven sin trabajo me da verdadera pena.It makes me really sad to see that so many young people are unemployed.
b. I'm sad
Me da pena que mis hijos crezcan en una ciudad, sin ningún contacto con la naturaleza.I'm sad that my children are growing up in a city, with no contact with nature.
c. I'm sorry
Me da pena no ir a la barbacoa, pero el trabajo es lo primero.I'm sorry not to go to the barbecue, but work comes first.
d. it's a pity
Me da pena tirar todas estas latas, pero están caducadas.It's a pity to throw all these cans away, but they're past their use-by date.
3. (I feel uncomfortable) (Caribbean) (Central America) (Colombia) (Mexico)
Regionalism used in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Colombia
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. I'm embarrassed
Me da mucha pena presentarme en una fiesta sin haber sido invitada.I'm very embarrassed to turn up at a party without having been invited.
me da vergüenza(
meh
dah
behr
-
gwehn
-
sah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. I'm ashamed
Mi coche me da vergüenza. Quiero comprar uno nuevo.I'm ashamed of my car. I want to buy a new one.
